Liverpool striker Luis Suárez is considering his future in English football
after being left distraught by a 10-game suspension for biting Chelsea
defender Branislav Ivanovic.

Suárez is deeply upset at the severity of the ban issued by an independent regulatory commission on behalf of the Football Association.

Liverpool are awaiting the written reasons explaining why seven games were added to a mandatory three-game ban for violent conduct.

Suárez has until noon on Friday to decide whether to appeal, but that risks the suspension being extended.

Ultimately, it will be left to the player to make that call, but the South American is known to feel strongly that he has been too harshly ­penalised for his offence, particularly as he swiftly admitted his guilt.

Liverpool now face a decisive few weeks where they must try to convince Suárez, enraged by his treatment by the authorities, not to quit Anfield. However, even if he did move abroad, the FA would seek to have his ban applied in any league overseas.

He will not only miss the final four games of this season, but the next six of the 2013-14 campaign.

Confirming the 10-game ban, an FA statement said: “Luis Suárez has been suspended for a total of 10 matches after an Independent Regulatory Commission today ruled on a charge of violent conduct.

“A three-person independent regulatory commission upheld the FA’s claim that a suspension of three matches was clearly insufficient and the player will serve a further seven first-team matches in addition to the standard three. The suspension begins with immediate effect.

“The Liverpool forward had accepted a charge of violent conduct but had denied the FA’s claim that the standard three-match sanction was insufficient for the offence. The incident was not seen by the match officials and has therefore been retrospectively reviewed. Suárez has until midday on Friday 26 April to appeal the additional suspension, above the standard three matches.”

Liverpool responded to express their concerns about the verdict. Managing director Ian Ayre said: “Both the club and player are shocked and disappointed at the severity of the independent regulatory commission decision. We await the written reasons before making any further comment.”

Liverpool knew Suárez was likely to face more than the standard three games but had hoped the FA would prioritise rehabilitation of the player. They cited previous incidents where players were involved in arguably much more dangerous conduct but escaped censure or suspension.

The case involving Jermain Defoe and Javier Mascherano in 2006 has become a particular source of contention, Liverpool perplexed as to how the Tottenham Hotspur player escaped with just a yellow card for biting an opponent during a Premier League fixture.

Although the FA says the disciplinary procedures have significantly changed in the seven years since, Liverpool cannot understand how such a vast difference in approach between now and then is considered fair and just.

Liverpool believe there have been successful moves to make an example of Suárez based for the large part on his identity. His past is certainly a factor.

The warnings of a hefty ban were clear earlier in the week when the FA made it known Suárez’s other brushes with authority in this country would influence the length of the ban.

The written adjudication is expected to make reference to his pre­vious misdemeanours and warnings of future conduct that followed last season’s Patrice Evra dispute when Suárez was found guilty of using racially motivated language against the Manchester United defender.

Whether an appeal has any chance of success is debatable given the hardline approach of the FA and the regulatory panel. Liverpool’s primary concern, however, is to consider the immediate and long-term impact on their player and what it means for his future on Merseyside.

In the emotional aftermath of the FA statement, the signals were not promising for Liverpool fans desperate to see the 26-year-old remain at the club.

Liverpool will hope Suárez will appreciate the backing of his ­manager, Brendan Rodgers, who will face the media this afternoon and is expected to express his own concerns about the extreme reprimand.

Rodgers is determined to offer all the support the player requires to overcome the latest serious setback to his career and image outside of Merseyside. Rival clubs, however, are ready to pounce.

Atlético Madrid, in search of a replacement for striker Radamel Falcao, have been immediately linked with a summer bid for a player valued in excess of £50 million. Bayern Munich and Juventus are also admirers of the Uruguayan, while it is believed Suárez has held long-term ambitions to play for either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Liverpool would resist any bids for Suárez from opportunistic suitors, but ultimately realise it is the state of mind of the player that will determine if he can remain at Anfield.